The Financial Times calls for a recount in Mexico

The Financial Times, mouthpiece of the British bourgeois, is
so worried that a social explosion could take place in Mexico that it
is advising a recount.

In an editorial article on Monday entitled Mexican
stand off
the mouthpiece of the British ruling class the Financial Times appealed for a
recount in the Mexican elections. Commenting on the controversy over the
election results, the FT says: "Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the leading
leftwing challenger, is alleging foul play and demanding a full recount of
the votes. That is exactly what Mexico's
electoral authorities should do." This is not a sign that the
FT has converted to democracy and transparent elections; the ruling class uses
whatever methods serve their interests without the slightest regard for
democratic niceties.

The real reason for the position taken in its editorial is
explained further on when they say that "if it confirms his triumph a
recount would help Mr Calderón govern more effectively". What they are
afraid of is that a Calderón government coming in after widespread suspicion of
fraud would not be able to carry out the policies that the ruling class in Mexico needs.
The Fox government was already a weak government which was stopped by the mass
movement of workers and peasants every time it attempted to carry out major
counter-reforms. They are arguing for a recount in order to have a stronger
right-wing government of Calderon.

But there also is another reason. The FT fears a massive
social explosion if the Mexican ruling class is seen as having stolen the
election from the PRD. "While Mr Calderón cleaned up in the north, Mr
López Obrador won overwhelmingly in the less well-off southern half of the
country. It would be foolhardy for Mexico's elites to underestimate
the dangers that this situation represents, especially bearing in mind the
country's history."

These are the calculations of an intelligent section of the
capitalist class internationally, which are afraid of the movement of the
workers and peasants in Mexico
and think that by making some concessions this can be prevented. However, a
recount achieved as a result of mass mobilisation in the streets would be as
bad from the point of view of the Mexican ruling class, since it would
encourage the struggle of the workers and make them aware of their own
strength.

What will happen in the next few days and weeks remains to
be seen. All the reports we are receiving from Mexico indicate that the mood of
the masses is turning more and more radical, and they are getting organised.
One thing is clear: the stage is set in Mexico for a major confrontation
between the classes, no matter what manoeuvres the ruling class may attempt to
carry out.